Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1003. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a scheme (details supplied) in which a person makes an application to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24612/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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On 28 April, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, launched a three-year pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged.

Funding of €3 million is being provided by the Department of Transport for this initiative over a three-year period and will be made available through my Department's Community Services Programme.

Applications are currently being sought from eligible social enterprises for inclusion on this programme. Organisations eligible to apply are those currently supported under the Community Services Programme or alternatively are in a Partnership/Consortium of which at least one member is currently a CSP supported organisation. It is envisaged that the pilot will support up to 6 social enterprises in 2021. Proposals from interested organisations should be submitted to csp@drcd.gov.ie using the application form by noon, 28th May 2021.

The purpose of this pilot initiative is to facilitate and promote the upcycling of bikes and ebikes. It is envisaged that the upcycled bikes and ebikes will be made available in due course to those on low incomes or those are most marginalised or disadvantaged. Further information on the dissemination of these bikes and ebikes will be provided at a later stage.

Full details of the scheme and the necessary application form are available on my Department's website.

Any queries in connection with this Call for Proposals process can be emailed to csp@drcd.gov.ie.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1004. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next call will take place for applications under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24614/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Since 2016, my Department has allocated almost €68 million to nearly 1,000 projects through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

I launched the 2021 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on 23rd April 2021 and the scheme is now open for applications. I was pleased to secure a 20% increase in funding for the 2021 scheme which, together with the continuing contribution from Fáilte Ireland, brings the total funding available for projects under the 2021 Scheme to €14 million.

The scheme provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. This year, there is an increased emphasis on the development of outdoor amenities such as those asscoiated with our moutains, rivers, lakes and beaches. For example, this might include tidal pools or facilities to support kayakers and open water swimmers. Details of the 2021 scheme are available on my Department's website.